The United States has advised its citizens to say goodbye to foreign travel for now to 80 per cent of countries worldwide, including to India, amid a global surge in Covid-19 cases that has brought intense scrutiny on New Delhi. While the State Department bumped up 80 percent of the world's countries to a Level 4 warning, putting a dampener on global travel and tourism, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to India, even if they are fully vaccinated.

Maharashtra is likely to impose a "strict lockdown" in the state, senior minister Aslam Sheikh said on Monday amid an unprecedented rise in Covid-19 cases. Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray is expected to make a formal announcement in this regard on Wednesday. "We have requested the chief minister to announce a complete lockdown in the state from tomorrow at 8 pm. This was the request of all ministers to CM, now it is his decision," Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope told the reporters.

The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday (April 20) decided that everyone above the age of 18 will be eligible to be administered the COVID-19 vaccine free of cost from May 1. The decision to this effect was taken by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a Cabinet meeting. The UP cabinet also decided to impose a weekend curfew from Friday evening to Monday morning in the entire state till further orders amid the rising cases of coronavirus infections.

The PM has said that lockdown should be the last option for states. But various courts in the country have given directives for lockdown. The people were hopeful that a relief package would be announced by PM for migrant workers, poor, small traders: Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik. I call upon the youth of India to form small committees and help in Covid administration in their areas. If that happens, the govt will not have to put containment zones or lockdowns: PM Modi

Revenge will be on Delhi Capitals’ mind when they lock horns with Mumbai Indians in the match no.13 of IPL 2021 in Chennai on Tuesday (April 20). Notably, MI defeated DC by five wickets in the IPL 2020 final last year to clinch their fifth Indian Premier League title. Meanwhile, as per the poll conducted by Zee News on Twitter, 65.3% believe that DC will avenge their IPL 2020 final defeat against MI when both the teams clash for the first time in IPL 2021 on Tuesday.

In view of the rising COVID-19 cases in the city, the Mumbai police on Wednesday (April 7) released detailed guidelines on the restrictions imposed.According to the new guidelines, bar and wine shops will remain closed. Religious places and beaches will also be closed to the public. Newspaper printing and circulation and home delivery of the same would be allowed between 7 am and 8 pm. All essential services in the manufacturing sector, oxygen producers, e-commerce would be allowed to operate.

Karnataka Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Thursday (April 8) said that instructions have been given to conduct 1 lakh testing per day in Bengaluru and to identify at least 20 primary and secondary contact for each case. The government is also planning to conduct door to door survey, he said. There are 8500 booths in BBMP limits and a team will be formed in each booth which will conduct door to door survey, according to the state government.

Campaigning for BJP for the ongoing assembly elections in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday (April 8) said that if his party comes to power, it will create anti-Romeo squads in the state. Addressing a public meeting in Hoogly, Adityanath said that the BJP would put TMC’s ‘Romeos’ behind bars. Exuding confidence in his party’s win in the polls, Adityanath said that on May 2, the day the votes are counted, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee would start saying “Jai Shree Ram”.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday (April 8) that she would keep urging voters to vote unitedly against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) even if she was served 10 of such notices. She said on Thursday (April 8) that she would keep urging voters to vote unitedly against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) even if she was served 10 of such notices, challenging the notice issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Jemima Goldsmith, former wife of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken a clear stand on her ex-husband`s controversial remarks where he blamed "fahashi" (vulgarity) for increasing incidents of rape and sexual violence. Taking to Twitter, Jemima also hoped that the Pakistan Prime Minister`s rape remark is a "misquote or mistranslation" while adding that the "onus is on men". While quoting Quran, Jemima said: "Say to the believing men that they restrain their eyes and guard their private parts".